arthritis circus

by Sophie Jarman

be apt, children, be so very apt, as you count
your small coinage on the way to the fair, stare
at the freaks, those strange, ugly hags with jutting
bones and twisted joints-
aching, writhing are you? the cold icy
rheumy joints have settled upon your
tarpaulins, never melting, just growing
its crystalline cruelty in daggers and swords-
doctor clown, the scabbard is yellow, and round,
tasting exquisitely like the metal bars of your
acrobats!
seasoned performers, swing high and burn
and tame this icy lion,
eating, gorging, feasting,
bingeing
upon the bones, upon the meat, the flesh
of those virgin bones
and here you are,
doctor,
fire-eating and juggling diagnosis
you have the band behind you.
you have everything but
truth.

One Response to “arthritis circus”

toby

November 25th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

very nice. i feel as though you hit the bulls-eye with a javelin.